Bethlehem Crime Rate Up 12.27% In 1984

The increase in crime was the first since 1981, when a rise of 12.05 percent was recorded.

In 1982 crime decreased 12.6 percent, and in 1983 a drop of 11.2 percent was reported.

Moyer reported there were 2,662 major offenses reported in 1984 compared with 2,371 offenses in 1983.

He said violent crimes, which include murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, showed a 6.67-percent increase. Property crimes

The commissioner said there were 176 violent crimes in 1984, compared with 165 in 1983, and 2,486 property crimes in 1984, compared with 2,206 the previous year.

Moyer noted 2,279 persons were arrested in 1984, which contributed to a clearance rate of 76.7 percent for violent crimes and a 29.07 percent for property crimes. The overall clearance rate for index offenses during 1984 was 32.19 percent, he added.

The national clearance rate is 46.5 percent for violent crimes and 17.7 percent for property crimes.

He reported the overall crime index for Bethlehem is 3,749 offenses per 100,000 population, while the national average in 5,158 offenses per 100,000 population. The city's rate is 27 percent lower than the national average.

The violent crime rate in the city, he said, is 251 offenses per 100,000 population, and the national average is 529 offenses per 100,000 population. He said the city's rate is 52 percent lower than the national average.

The commissioner said the chance of being involved in a violent crime in the city is one in 398, while on the national level it is one in 189.

Moyer stated there were two murders during 1984 and none during 1983. One ofthe murders was cleared by an arrest; the other is still under investigation.

Moyer reported department members are "not happy about the increase in the crime rate, but they are quite pleased with the clearance rate."

He said he cannot say why there was a large increase in rape, but said one reason may be that more rapes are being reported to police. The commissioner said agencies have been helping and more victims are getting support. He also noted that 14 of the 17 incidents were cleared.

The increase in larceny, he reported, can be attributed to the number of shopliftings reported and to a rash of coin-box thefts from parking meters. There were 324 shoplifting incidents reported in 1984, compared with 228 in 1983. He said store personnel are on the ball in reporting and apprehending shoplifters. He also noted the majority of retail theft incidents are cleared by arrests.

Moyer said he is happy about the decline in robberies. He said the Block Watch program has had an impact. "We need eyes out in the street and in residential areas," he said.

He cited cooperation from the people in reporting suspicious acts, so police can check them out immediately. He also said aggressive patrols by police teams have an impact.

The commissioner attributed good investigations by police investigators and patrol officers for the good clearance rate for index offenses.

"The clearance rate is really the yardstick of a police department," Moyer reported.